A 22-year-old man who was driving a car that crashed during a police pursuit last month, killing two people, has been charged with their manslaughter.
The man had previously been charged with driving while disqualified in relation to the crash on August 26, and today police said he would also face charges of driving with excess blood alcohol, dangerous driving and two counts of manslaughter.
He was due to appear in Christchurch District Court this afternoon.
Norman Richard Fitt, 73, and Deidre Valerie Jordan, 67, were killed on their way home from the gym when their red Daihatsu Terios vehicle was hit by a blue Ford Mondeo, which had allegedly been travelling at 89kmh in a 50kmh zone along Ferry Rd when police began pursuing it shortly after 8pm.
The Mondeo went through several green lights before running a red on Fitzgerald Ave and Gloucester St, near the central city, striking the Terios.
Mr Fitt was believed to have died instantly, while Ms Jordan died after being cut from the car.
